Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the treatment client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment you might normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that decide on an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis every day or a few days per week. This is helpful for individuals who have recently completed an even more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For somebody with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab programs that provide rehab on a long-term basis will be the more effective treatment choice.